Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-03-27
T T WASHINGTON.
First Presbyterian Church Dedication

- ~
Concise History of the Sunday School
Spsriai Correspondence ofthe Sunday Register.
WASHINGTON, PA, March 26.-On Ia.
Saturday week the congregation of the
First Presbyterian church dedicated with
appropriate services the chapel which was
erected by them for Sabbath school and
prayer meeting purposes at the cost OF
twelve thousand dollars.
John Aiken, Esq, who gave a brief dis
~cription of the construction Of the build
ing, it's cost, etc. lie was followed by Rev.
DIR. Moflat, Rev. James II. SnOwden, OF
the Second church, aud Alexander Wilson.
ESQ. Rev. James |. BrOwnsOn, pastor OF
the First church then formally dedicated
the building to the service OF God.
On the Sunday following the Sabbath
school gathered ut 9 o'clock in the Old
rooms to take their formal leave. Several
gentlemen addressed the school. They
then went over to the new chapel and held
appropriate opening exercises.
MIR. Mexican, who is secretary and treas
urer of the Sunday school, read a most IN
interesting history of the Sunday school,
which is claimed to be the Oldest school
west of the A~lleghenies. The following is
the history:
Il entered the Sunday school as a scholar
in the summer OF ISIS, IN the old church
on Franklin street. now used as n carriage
factory, where many precious memories
still liuger.
The superintendent at that time was, l
think, Prof. Agnew, Of the College. In
1882 Mr.. VIM. McCombs was elected su-
perintendant and served one year and was
succeeded by John McClintock who served
two years and declined reelection. Both
these were then students in the College
and became ministers. Mr.. McCOmbs,
now in his 18th year, is still alive to NM
ister to his congregation at Carmlchals,
Pa, where he located Il years ago.
MIR. Henry Williams, the next superin-
tendant, was elected in 1880 and served
three years, until the election OF DIR. Reed,
in 1888.
During this time the assistant super
intendent was that good, faithful man,
known to some here US Carpenter John
Wilson, who was always at his post on
time. He lead the singing in the school
and for many years in the church, before
the introduction OF Choirs. He died here
April !, 1852.
After an absence of about ten years, and
at the request of DIR. Reed, | took charge
of a class of boys in 1916 and continued
~ teacher until elected librarian IN Feb
ruarv. 1852. in place OF John Russell, re-
signed. Before entering on this duty St.
- ,n. ,,r.ynpt NIpTThU nnpTIntpnIgnt
to take nv class of boys, and have Il pre-
sumption to think that n good wOrH was
done by him ~ he has been in constant at
tendance as teacher and superintendent
these thirty.fve year. 1t d became APP
parent that the duties of Secretary, Treas
urCr and Librarian was too much Tor one
person, and the services of A. l. Scott was
secured as an assistant, which position he
filled till his removal from town i'll 1897,
when John Baird and \. I. Baird were
electd Librarians.
MANY changes have taken place since
that time, but after u continuous service OF
thirty years our faithful Librarian, \. L.
Baird, is still on duty, where we hope he
NAV he found for many years hence. He
has been ably assisted for the past twenty
two wears, by Alex. NJ. Brown, and for
twelve years by James X. Mitchell. Want
of time will not permit me TO speak OF
Others who have rendered valuable service
in this department.
We regret our inability to give the names
of those connected with the school at the
time OF its transfer from the old church on
Franklin steeet, November Q, 1861, to this
building, hut from memory give a part of
those known To be officers or teachers.
Superintendent, DIR. K. X. Reed; Assist
ant Superintendent, George Baird; Libra
rian. ]. l.. Russell; Teachers, MeSSrs. Nc
KEENAN,, Henderson, Williams, Cow, Reed,
C. NJ, Vowel, Frisbie, Mexican; Lady
Teachers, Ellen AchesOn, now Mrs. Brown
son, Flora Lee, Mary Garrett, Sarah J.
Koontz, Jennie W. Baird, Mary Wishart,
now Mrs. LOwrey, Margaret Taylor, Annie
f. McKennan, Sarah Baird, Hannah ST.
monson. Annie Brown, etc.
The record shows there were present on
that day three officers, twelve male and
thirteen female teachers aud one hundred
and two scholars. Skr. George Baird ma
king the opening prayer. OF the twenty
eight officers and teachers in the school at
that time but two are here TO day. and l
cannot close this part of my record with
out a~llusion to the faithful and punctual
attendance of one teacher who has been
with Us throughout the entire period,
trusting she will excuse me for the liberty
OF doing so in this public manner l refer
Miss Jennie Baird. During the twenty
eight years | have kept the daily roll of
the school, for five successive years she was
present every Sabbath, also every Sabbath
in seven other years, but these were not in
succession.